GREAT NORTHERN POTATO VODKA

Proof: 80

Our potato vodka is made in small batches from potatoes grown within two miles of the distillery. Sure, they’re more expensive than the grain used for most vodkas, but the result is a spirit with unparalleled smoothness and exceptional quality. Because it is distilled in the traditional Polish style, our potato vodka has more character than the typical neutral flavor of most North American vodkas. It has very heavy mouth feel and a round smoothness that finishes with a hint of sweetness. Enjoy on the rocks, chilled neat or create one of our signature cocktails below. Some say it is dangerously smooth, so enjoy responsibly!

Bronze Medal Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Silver Medal Winner, American Craft Spirits Competition

Great Northern Herbalist Gin

Proof: 84

Our Herbalist Gin is made in small batches from a spirit base of red winter wheat from Lonesome Stone Milling in Lone Rock, WI and northwoods botanicals. Juniper, coriander, rose hips, lavender and hand-harvested young spruce tips are used to create a subtle, smooth and balanced spirit not typical of other gins. All botanicals are northern climate, with no tropical ingredients typically used in most gins. We get a slight citrus flavor from our coriander, rose hips and spruce tips, all of which hint at lemons/limes. Overall our gin is gentle and not juniper heavy. Many non-gin drinkers have enjoyed it in classic and modern cocktails or just with a twist.

Opportunity Rum

Proof: 80

Rum was going to be a "one time only" spirit for Great Northern Distilling because cane sugar and molasses can't be sourced from local farmers in Wisconsin. When about two tons of sugar came our way from a local food warehouse, Opportunity Rum was born. Distilled from a wash of cane sugar, baking molasses, blackstrap molasses and a Caribbean rum yeast, the spirit is sweet and flavorful right off the still. We then age it in used Koval Distillery whiskey barrels until it achieves a deep honey color. The result is a smooth rum with a balanced combination of molasses notes and barrel flavors.

Great Northern Vanguard Whiskey

Proof: 80

Vanguard is the young expression of our whiskey distilled from a wheated bourbon mash and aged in new charred American oak barrels. Even though it is technically bourbon, the mash bill has only 55% corn rather than 70% or more in a typical bourbon. We add a high proportion of wheat, rye and malted barley to skew the flavor profile more toward a smooth Canadian whiskey. Aged for about 8 months in 10 gallon barrels, the resulting spirit has a smooth character typically found in much older whiskeys and flavor profile that is somewhere between true Kentucky bourbon and a Canadian whiskey. Prominent caramel and vanilla notes mellow to a long finish of rye spice and leather. This is what we refer to as a true Wisconsin whiskey.

Silver Medal Winner, San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Silver Medal Winner, American Craft Spirits Competition

Silver Medal Winner, Beverage Testing Institute "Highly Recommended"

Great Northern Rye Whiskey

Proof: 96

Our rye whiskey is made in an old east coast style, reminiscent of a Maryland rye. Different than a Kentucky or Monongahela rye, we use a high proportion of raw rye grain, rye malt rather than barley malt, and just a touch of corn for balance.

Great Northern rye whiskey is savory and complex with prominent floral notes, subtle rye spice and a very long, smoky finish. Handcrafted from local ingredients, it boasts a smoothness that belies its age and proof.

Great Northern Distilling

Our Mission is Simple, Make Great Liquor

Great Northern’s spirits are crafted in small batches in our handmade copper still. Our process starts with sourcing the highest quality ingredients from local farmers. Whether it is potatoes for our vodka, grain for our whiskey or fruit for our brandy, we are committed to sustainable sourcing from within 150 miles of the distillery.